June 4, 2007
On Hillary, Bush, and political dynasties
Political dynasties like the House of Bourbon were common in Europe. One family, the Habsburgs, held some form of political power in Austria from 1278 to 1918.
That isn't supposed to be the case in the United States. Or is it? If Hillary Clinton does take the White House next year (and I believe her chances are good) then either a Bush or a Clinton will have been in the White House from 1989-2012. If Hillary wins a second term in the 2012 election, then the Clinton-Bush families will hold the White House for 27 years--close to three decades.
Let me put it in more personal terms: I am pushing 40, and I was a callow college student the last time the President of the United States wasn't named either Clinton or Bush. Many younger readers won't even be able to remember Ronald Reagan---the last non-Clinton/Bush president.
Should this fact alone disqualify Hillary in 2008? Not necessarily. But I for one am ready for a break from these two oddball families. Of all the Clinton-Bush presidents, the only one I really got behind was the first George Bush, who was a moderate on social issues and a dedicated internationalist in regard to foreign policy. I wasn't exactly giddy over Bill Clinton's performance, but I would take him in a heartbeat over either George W. Bush or Hillary.
If we must have a familiar name in the White House, then let's at least widen the field a bit. Does any of the other ex-presidents have a spouse or a child who might be up for the job?
